Alarm system



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ALARM SYSTEM C. W. ROE ET AL Filed Oct. 20, 1950 June2, 1953 Inventor can w. Roe s Sidney 7. Roe

June 2, 1953 c. w. -RoE ET AL ALARM SYSTEM Filed Oct. 20, 1950 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventors By m Wawy @M5815 N .Sk

Patented June 2, 1953 UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE ALARM SYSTEM Carl W.Roe and Sidney T. Roe, Houston, Tex. 4

Application October 20, 1950, Serial No. 191,134

'' Claims.

This invention relates to alarm systems for the protection of premisesof the type in which a closure of an alarm circuit releases thetransmission of a suitable spoken message to a central supervisingstation where said message is received and Where the proper steps forprotecting the premises may be undertaken.

The primary object of the invention consists in providing an alarmsystem of the above described type in which, by relatively simple means,manual operation of the alarm system during business hours and automaticoperation of the alarm system during the hours in which the premises arenot occupied may be carried out alternatively. the spoken messagetransmitted to the central supervising station being always selected inaccordance with the nature of the emergency, thus permitting an operatorat the central supervising station to initiate the undertaking ofsuitable protective steps.

A further object of the invention consists in providing simple andeffective means for changing from manual to automatic operation, whichmeans include signals indicating the condition of the alarm detectors inthe alarm circuit at the time of the switching from one type ofoperation to the other type of operation, said signals reporting withoutproducing an alarm, whether the detectors are in the operative orinoperative position at the time of the switching operation.

A further object 0f the invention consists in providing an alarm systemin which a plurality of detectors of different types for the sameemergency and also a plurality of detectors of the same 'type fordifferent emergencies may be used each detector when operated selectingthe spoken message corresponding to the emergency for which the detectorwas constructed, and each detector also giving an indication at thecontrol center of the premises to be protected as to the condition inwhich it is in, such an indication being given without starting an alarmat the time when an operator at said control box is switching the alarmsystem from manual to automatic operation.

A further object of the invention consists in providing an arrangementcontrolled by relays for sending out and transmitting recorded spokenmessages in the event of an alarm, which arrangement may be controlledfrom the receiving central supervisory station as soon as the sendingout 0f a message has started.

A further and more specific object of the invention consists inproviding an alarm system which is operable by any number of detectorsof 2 different 'types for different emergencies and which is so arrangedthat currents of different voltages may be used for operating thedevices without interference and without danger of an invasion of thelow Voltage connections by currents of higher voltage.

A still further feature of the invention consists in so connecting thecontrol relays for the message producing devices that no confusion ofmessages can take place and that an actuation of a plurality of messagetransmitting devices is prevented.

A still further object of the invention consists in a connection of thecontrol relays of the mesr sage transmission devices which prevents thegiving of an alarm in the event of power failure with subsequent returnof power to the system.

Further and more specic objects of the invention wili be apparent fromthe following detailed specification.

The invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawingsillustrating one embodiment of the system by way of example. It is,however, to be understood that the alarm system according to theinvention which has been illustrated serves the purpose of explainingthe principle of the invention and the best mode of applying theprinciple. The specification does not describe and the drawing does notshow the modifications of the system which are possible withoutmodification of the essence of the invention and a departure from theexample shown is therefore not necessarily a departure from theprinciple of the invention.

In the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 are diagrams of the connections showingthe various units used in the alarm system. The two figures are in factparts of the same diagram, and the lines at the right end of. one figureare supposed to be joined to the corresponding lines at the left end ofFigure 2.

The alarm system according to the invention, as has been explainedabove, is of the type in which spoken messages are delivered in theevent of an emergency to a police department or re department or to anyother central supervisory department capable of handling emergencycalls. The system is equipped for alternative or for combined manual andautomatic operation. It is also provided with appropriate means fordelivering recorded messages which correspond to different types ofemergencies, said means being properly selected and operated by thealarm device which has seen set into operation. Moreover, in order tooperate the alarm system alternatively either by hand or automaticallysupervising means are provided on the premises to be protected whichindicate whether a change from manual to automatic operation nds thesystem ready for such automatic operation or whether the units or thesystem have accidentally, during the period in which no automaticoperation took place, been brought into a condition which an alarm wouldbe given without .an emergency. Finally, the system isof a type Ainwhich, once :an alarm has been sounded, the entire system is under thecontrol of the operator in the police or re department or othersupervisory exchange and arrangements are made which permit the operatorin the police or nre department station to switch the message directlyto a radio transmitter for direct transmission to police .cars or -toyoutlying iire or police stations, etc.

The alarm system according to the invention comprises in the iirst placethe alarm circuit provided with circuit closing devices y-of -diiierentltypes `which are adapted yto react v either vonA manlual 'operationAduring fcertain periods or, when fset Afor automatic operation duringother periods, are adapted to detect-the illicit intrusion into the.pron tected area, the moving of or the contact '-.With objects in thisarea, the 'approach vto `certain kpoints or passages, theydevelopment/o1? high temperatures, or `the development of smokeorziiames and similaroccurrences Further, the'alarm sys tem consists ofa control --boa'rdpanel lwith which all the alarm circuits are connectedand which contains the message producing records for the differentlalarm circuits and 'the operating 'relays which are controlled l-bylthe alarm 'cir-cuits, "the energizing 'circuits forithese relays whichare interconnected'so as to avoid -a confusion A-of messages and whichare specially `arranged so Yas to avoid the giving of alarms inthe eventof apower failure. The system further 'comprisesla manual controlling`means 'on 'the 'control lpanel which is .adapted to Ashift from nranualalarm control vto automatic alarm control, and 'also thesupervisingsignals which indicate that the 'automatic alarm. producing detectingdevices are in their condition of rest, lin vwhich they are Kcapable ofproducing an alarm intheevent of an emergency, when the shifting frommanual to autonfiaticopn eration takes place. Moreover, the panel isDrovided with afmeans Tor. amplifying and transmitting the recordedspoken messages over `commu-- nication or telephone -lines to police or`vlire department stations or to-a .central exchange in 'which the alarmmessages are handled.

The alarm system .further comprises the'equipn ,ment in the receivingstation which may Lbe a police .or ,fire department station, .as aboveindicated, which equipment Vincludes a suitable lamplier andloud-speakers, Icontrol switches for controlling the further operationor the 'message delivering devices and of other apparatus 'on thecontrol board in the protected premises, once the alarm `hasbeen given,and said equipment :further comprises switches and other means for4operating a radio station .and for directly using the incoming ampliedvsignals containing the message for the modulation ,of the radio waveswhich are .transmitted from said radio transmitter. The radio stationmay be provided with aprior ity control device of a well known typewhichpermits vthe use of theradio station-only after/a previously startedmessage has y'been fully delivered.

The above generally 4described alarm system two kinds 'of alarmproducing lunits lare used, viz.

manually operated and automatically operated alarm circuit closureunits. Two kinds of circuit closing devices are used in all those casesin which the automatic supervision oi the premises during business hoursis unnecessary, while, on the other hand, a protection against holdupsand similar occurrences is desirable during business hours. An automaticoperation during business .hoursinvolves the risk of accidental andunintentional .alarms given by persons not suiiiciently acquainted withthe function of the automatic detectors.

The device which is used for manual operation Iof the messagetransmitting devices is indicated at In in Figure 2. t comprises anumber of switches, distributed in any appropriate manner .and arrangedin accordance with the conditions prevailing at the place to beprotected, Standard unitsmay be used for this purpose. These standardunits may comprise push buttons I l, foot or -body 1operated raiis orbars I'Z or keys or contacts II3 which Yare connected with certainlocks. As the specific construction of these manually operated "switchesis :not material they are vneither shown nor described iindetail.

All the switchesare vshown yas Abeing lpart oi a manual alarm circuit:1.4, which is .connected lwith 'the control kpanel by means ofconductors `I'Efand'r.

The control panel is indicated at 25J and is vshown in Figure 1 and inFigure 2, each 'figure vshowing one-half of l`the saidcontrol panel. Theconductor 25 connecting the manually operated alarm circuit I4withlthecontrol panel also runs through the panel and is joined to conductor35 (Figure 11) which is connected with conductor 33 joined to thesecondary coil of the transformer 41 on the panel 'which forms thesource for low voltage currents. The primary ofthe transformer 41 isconnected with the current supply lines 4|, 42 which 'in their turn `areconnected with the power supply terminals 45, 46 of the building housingthe-premises. vAdouble pole double throw switch 44 ma-y be provided inthe lines 6|', 47, in order to control the power supply to the controlpanel.

The-second conductor l5 connecting the alarm circuit I4 with the-controlpanel 2u leads to the relay I6 on said panel which, by means ofconductors 26 and 48 of the control panel is connected Vwith. conductor34 leading to the other side of the secondary ywinding of the supplytransformer 41.

The devices for use in connection. with the automatic operation of thealarm system comprise a Icontrolbox 'l0 'and a number of photoelccMgrillo devices 50, -5| and of capacity operated units The photoelectricydevices may be used for detecting burglary as well Aas for detectingsmoke or llames. The photoelectric device 5l which'is used for'detectingiburglary for instance, may be placed into the path of accessto the premises or may :be located insome passageway which mustnecessarily be used in order to reach the guarded vaults or rooms. AnyYnumber of such devices may be used, but only one or" these devices 5|is shown inthe drawing which is acting as a burglary detector. VFurtherphotoelectric devices 5D are shown which act as detectors for smoke.fumes or flames. All these devices are conventional photoelectricdevices with an exciter lamp 52, 153, respectively, and a photoelectriccell 54, 55, respectively. The photoelectric cell is connected with an'amplifier 56, 5B, respectively, in

`the output circuit of which a currentis generated which is capable ofactuating a relay. All the operating circuits are conventional and itmay only be mentioned here that the exciter lamps 52, 53 as well as thecathode and grid of the amplifier are shown as being directly connectedwith the supply lines 4|, 42 by means of suitable transformers 6 l, 62,63, 64.

The photoelectric device 50 may also be replaced by a unit with athermic element. The number of such devices used is not limited and willbe chosen in accordance with the specific local conditions.

The capacity operated detecting unit 6l) is also of standardconstruction and comprises an oscillator tube 65 which is connected withan antenna 61 or with any other feeler, the ground capacity of which ischanged by the approach of a body to said antenna or feeler. Theconnections of the oscillator are conventional and are of the type whichis usually designated by the term free running oscillator. When a bodyapproaches the feeler 61 the additional load on the oscillator causes avoltage drop across the grid-leak resistance, which voltage drop affectsthe grid of a Thyratron tube 66 which, as well known, is a tube carryingno current under normal conditions but being fired whenever the gridbias exceeds a certain limit. When a voltage drop across a gridleakresistance occurs, the Thyratron tube 66 fires and current is flowingthrough the tube. Units of this type using a Thyratron are widely usedcommercially and no further description of this unit seems therefore tobe necessary. Any number of capacity operated detecting devices may beused.

It will be understood that the units 56, 5| and 60 are arranged atsuitable places on the premises and that the amplifying tubes 56, 58 andthe Thyratron tube 66 which furnish the output current are connectedwith the control panel 20 by means of the conductors 68, 69; 1I, 12 and13, 14, respectively, leading from the plate electrodes of therespective tubes to the panel.

On the control panel 26 relays 39, 36 and 31m.

are arranged which are connected with the abovenamed conductors 68, 68;1l, 12 and 13, 14, respectively. It is preferable to arrange all therelays `which are associated with detectors having the same functions,for instance, the detectionz'f of burglary, in a group, and to formseparate groups for relays performing another function, such as therelay which is associated with the detectors for smoke and flames. Inthis way 1t is possible to use a single operating relay on the 1" relay,controlling the automatic operation of the alarm system, for each groupof detector rela-ys. As there are two groups of detector relays, forfire and burglary detection, two relays are shown at 3S and I8.Moreover, the control panel includes the relays 40, I1 and I6controlling thel` recording devices and the relay I8 which is a releaserelay controlled by the operator at the receiving station. The functionof these relays will be explained below.

The control panel 20 moreover includes the `transformer 41 connectedwith the two supply lines 4 l, 42 which supplies the relays on the paneland other devices with low voltage currents. .'Further, a switching andsupervising unit or control box 10 is arranged which incudes a manuallyoperated switch 15 'for changing from manual to automatic operation ofthe system, and a number of supervisory lamps 16, 11, 18. Preferably theswitch is a lock switch operated when locking the box or when locking adoor behind which the box is mounted.

The lamps 16, 11 and 18 are provided to indicate the state or conditionof the detecting units. Lamp 16 is controlled by the relay 31 and istherefore dependent on the operation of the Thyratron 66 and, when therelay is in its normal position, also on the contacts of relay 36. Thislamp, therefore, is energized if the relays of the group formed byrelays 36 and 31 are in their deenergized or normal condition. The lamps11 and 18 report on the condition of energization of the relays 36, 31and 39, respectively. The circuits of these lamps are connected with theupper contacts of the above mentioned relays which are closed uponenergization of relay 39 or of relays 36 and 31. By virtue of theconnection between the movable middle contacts H8, ||1 of the relays 36and 31, lamp 18, when lighted, reports the operation of any detector andthe energization of any relay in the group associated with the burglarydetecting units. Likewise, lamp 11 when lighted reports the energizationof a relay 39 and of any detector associated with the fire detectinggroup. Upon closure of the manual switch 15, connected with thesecondary of the transformer 41, the set of lamps therefore inform theoperator on the position of the relay contacts and thereby on the stateof energization of the relays and of the detecting units, whetherphotoelectric or capacity controlled units. If upon closing of theswitch 15 one of the two lamps 11 or 18, which may have red coloredbulbs, is lighted this is an indication that one of the relays 36, 31 or39, respectively, has been energized without an emergency calling forsuch operation. Such an operation may, for instance, be caused byobjects which have been moved accidentally into the path of the rays orit may have been caused by the failure of the equipment, a conditionwhich has to be investigated before the device is connected with thepolice department for automatic operation. No alarm is given, however,in this phase.

The control panel 20, in addition, contains the three record mechanisms80, 8l, 82, the number of record mechanisms being identical with thenumber of types of messages which are to be delivered. In the exampleshown a separate type of message is delivered in the event of a manualoperation of the alarm system which may occur during business hours, forinstance, in the event of an attempted holdup. In the event of anattempted burglary, during the night hours, another message is deliveredand still a further message is delivered in the event that one of theiire detectors has been operated. The message may merely -consist in ashort description of the nature of the alarm, in the address or in thedescription of the location of the premises and, if necessary, in ashort additional message indicating where the keys to unguarded premisesare kept or indicating the address of the person in charge.

Each record mechanism comprises a `record carrier and disk 83, 85, 81,driven by an electric motor 93, 95, 91, respectively, and cooperatingwith an electric pick-up 84, 86, 83, respectively. All the electricpick-ups may be connected in parallel. A single circuit 28, 29 containsall these parallel branches and leads to an amplifier tube 90, theoutput electrode 9| of which is connected with the output transformer92. The secondary of the transformer is vdirectly `connected with thecominimication or telephone .lines .I 2 I |22.

"The telephone or communication lines-are preierably those provided by alocal telephone rcoinpany, although special communication lines may beused if necessary. It is assumed that the eX- ample shown relates to aninstallation in which that part of the equipment which connects thecontrol panel with the supervising receiving sta- .tion is leased fromthe telephone company and this part of the circuit is therefore notfurther described but is merely represented by the two 'aforesaid linesIZI and F22.

The electric motors 93, 95, 91 driving the record 4carriers arepreferably of 'the type operated by the usual line voltage in order tokeep the dimensions of the motors as small 'as possible and in this casethey are connected with the supply lines 3-I, 32 `on the panel which arecontinuations of the .supply lines 4l, 42 directly connected with the'source of 'supply 45, 46.

These connections include the contacts 94, 96, *99 of the relays I6, I'Iand 40, respectively, which :must therefore 'be equipped for handlinghigher voltages.

As has already :been mentioned the .record relay I6 is operated uponclosure oi the manual alarm contact circuit 14. Contacts 94, upon en'ergization of the relay I6, then close the circuit of the Imotor 93thus starting the delivery of the message recorded on the disk B3.

The two further record relays I1, 40 are under control of two controlrelays I8, 38, the operation of which lis ydependent on the lock switch'I5 ci the `control box l0. When switch is closed a low voltage circuit.is yclosed which runs from 'the secondary of the 'transformer 41 overlines 19| and |02 to the connection point I2a from whichpointconnections lead both to relay lI 8 and to xrelay3'. The connection withrelay It is made ybynleans of conductor 24 and the circuit of this relayis closed over conductor .23, the lower 'contact of the yContact set-I'I4 of relay 39 and conductors 35 and 33. Likewise, the connectionwith relay 38 is kmade over the same conductor 24 and over the lowercontacts of the set of contacts I I2 and III of relays 36 and 31.

v'In order kto energize ycontrol relays I8 and 38 `the 'detector relays39, 39 and 31 which are -oper- "ated by the 'detector mechanisms must bein their Aposition of` rest.

It Will be noted that the relays 38 and I8 as .soon as they have beenenergized remain energized as they Yare provided with lock-ing :circuitsrlosed by .their 4contacts H5 and yI I6.

When these control relays 38 and I8 have been energized the energizationof one of the detector relays 99, 36 or 31 produces an energization oione 4of the record mechanism operating relays I1 or 40. Record 'relayI'I is energized over contacts |29 of relay l-8 connected 'with theVupper contact of the contact set II-4 of relay 39, which comes intoContact with the movable middle contact of said set I I4 connected withconductor v35 and conductor 33 leading to the secondary of thetransformer 41 when detector relay `39 is energized. Likewise, whencontrol relay 38 has been energized an energization of one of thedetector relays 36 or 31 moving Athe .central contact towards the upperrelay contacts in one of the sets II2 or III closes the circuit ofrecord relay 40 which is vrconnected with vconductor 34, and over thecontacts IIB of relay 38 and the upper contacts .of thesets I I8 or IITI.of one o the detector relays 35 or 31 when energized, is connected withcon- 8 d-nctor 33 and with the secondary of the transformer 41.

The closure of switch 'i5 therefore produces an energization of thecontrol relays 38 and I9 only when the detector relays 39, 36 and 31 arein their neutral position or position of rest, in which case also thegreen light 'I6 will 'be lighted as has been described above. If one ofthe relays 39, 36 or 31 should 'be energized the operation of switch 7'5would not result in the energization of relay 38 or I8 as in this casethe middle contacts III, II2, II1, IIB and H4 and II3 are in their upperposition. In such a case, the lamps 11 yor 'I9 are lighted 4the rstnamed lamp indicating the energization of the detector relay 39 thesecond named lamp indicating the energization of one of the two relays36 or 31.

As has been above explained this interlocking of the control relays andci the detector relays prevents :a shifting from manual to automaticcontrol when one of the detector relays is accidentally energized, Aandtherefore prevents .the sending out ci an fai-arm signal by such aswitch ing operation. This interlocking of the relays also prevents thesending out Aof a false alarm in the event oi Vpower failure, as therecord yoperating relays I'I., -49 can only start to operate la/fter thedetector relays have first fallen back .into their normal position andhave then gone back to their energized posi-tion a sequence ofoperations which can only .occur in the event Yof a power failure, ifindeed one of the .detectors is still detecting the presence of anobject.

The control panel, moreover, contains lthe ampliner v9i) havinf,T 4acathode i90, a control grid 99 and a plate 9 I, the input side of saidampli'der bei-ng connected with the two lines 28, 29 which lead to theelectric pick-ups 84, .86, .8.3. One of the two lines 23, 2.9 may begrounded. The other line may contain-condensers 121, t28. The ycathodeheater :is zoperated 'by means -of a branch connection |99 branching oifrom leads 33, 34 `of the transformer secondary 41 whichsupplies the lowvoltage current. The plate 9i and the screen grids and other grids ofthe amplifier to be kept at .a high potential are supplied fromconductor 3l connected with the high voltage supply line 41I,saidiconnection including-contact 49 'and conductor 30, conductor I-3'9and the selenium rectier I20.

The output of the Iamplifier y99 leads .to a telephone transforiner 92,the secondary .of which is connected with the communication vortelephone lines IM and I2-2.

Across Athis line the release relay 4.9 is connected'which alsoforms-part of .the control ,panel and which may be operated by currentimpulses sent over the telephone lin-es so that vthe relay is'under thecontrol'of the operator in :the police or fire vdepaitment .station vatthe other end yof the `.telephone or `communication lines. The relay I9controls the .connection of .line -3.3 with line 21 which is .part ofthe locking circuits of the relays I6, .I'I yand #0. The lockingcircuits of these relays are therefore interrupted as soon :as relay I9is operated and the `above-named relays are thus `restored to .theirnormal or deenergized positions. Upon deenergization of these relays nofurther transmission of signals takes place.

.In all other respects the connections of 4the control panel followknown principles so that a further description of them seems to beunnecessary.

The receiving station will in most cases be a police station 'or abranch station of a fireA department or .a 'special alarm station of thecommunication system. This receiving station comprises an inputtransformer |50 connected with the telephone or communication lines |2|and |22 which transformer is directly connected with an amplifier |40.Said amplifier may be of any suitable type and need not be described, indetail. The lamplifier merely serves to amplify the audio currentscorresponding to the lincoming recorded message. rIhe output of theamplifier |40 feeds a further or audio transformer |33 which isconnected with a loud-speaker arrangement |30, consisting either of oneloud-speaker or of a plurality of speakers to be used eitheralternatively or in different parts of a building simultaneously. Thereceiving station has its own current supply indicated at |42 and |4|which leads to a supply transformer |44 supplying a rectifier |45 whichis connected with one of the communication lines |2| by means of theline |46. A release switch |58 is inserted in the line |46 in order tobe `able to send an impulse over the telephone or communication lines tothe release relay I9. The said rectifier |45 also pro.- vides anamplifier |40 and other units which may need direct currents with D. C.energy.

The supply lines |3| and |32 for the loudspeakers |30 may, by means of afurther switch |35 be connected with the branches of the circuit |36,|31 which forms part o-f or leads to a radio transmitter and whichpermits tomodulate the carrier waves emitted by the transmitter with theamplified message transmitted from the control panel of the alarmsystem. In a police station where such a transmitter is permanentlyrunning in order to transmit messages to cruising police cars it istherefore only necessary, if an alarm is t-o be given, to modulate themodulator tube of the transmitter with the speech currents which havebeen transmitted over the linesI |2| and |22. The operator, in thereceiving station therefore, may directly cause the transmission of thealarm to the cruising police cars. A suitable priority device is in thiscase arranged in the transmitter in order to secure orderly delivery ofthe message without interrupting other messages.

As above stated a release switch |58 is arranged which controls the line|46 connected with one of the communication lines |2 When the switch isclosed an impulse from the source of rectified currents |45 is; sentover the line |2| to the release relay I9, the operation of whichinterrupts the circuit of the electric motors of the recorders so that afurther transmission of messages may cease under the control of theoperator in the receiving station.

The operation of the above described device in detail will be asfollows.

Let it be assumed that the switch 15 of the ccntrol board is open sothat the alarm system therefore is set for manual operation. If in thiscase one of the three manually operated switches Il, l2 or |3 is closeda low voltage current will flow from the secondary of transformer 41over lines 34 and 4S to line 26 and over line 26 to relay I6, conductor|5 and to the closed alarm circuit |4 and over conductor 25 toconductors 35 and 33 back to the secondary of transformer 41.Therefore-relay I6 will close its contacts |26 and 94. The closure ofcontact |26 closes a locking circuit cfthe relay |6 over line |46 andline |41 and the contacts |48 of relay I9 which are connected with line33, leading back to the secondary of transformer 41. The locking circuitdoes not include the alarm circuit |4 of the manual operator and it istherefore immaterial once the relay has been operated whether theswitches 2 or |3 remain closed or opened after operation. The switchesmay therefore be closed only for a moment and may be released thereafterwithout interfering with the operation of the alarm system.

' oor, No.

amplifier 90.

the protected premises the nature of the emergency which caused theoperation of the system, for instance the recorded message may state:Hold-up in progress at bank,

of Street, Borough The recorded message is picked up from the= recorddisk by the electric pick-up 84 which is connected with the circuit 29,29 and with the The electric currents produced in the electric pick-upare therefore amplified in the amplifier and are sent over the outputcircuit 9| of the amplifier to the transformer 92.

From the secondary of transformer 92 the message is transmitted to thereceiving station over lines I2 |22 4and is received in this station inthe primary of transformer |50. The mes-fl' sage is then transmittedfrom the secondary of the transformer |50, after amplification inarnplii'ler |40 to the l-oud-speaker |30. The operator after havingreceived the message may either initiate suitable protective steps in amanner not connected with this invention or, if he thinks that themessage is of a type which is best transmitted to a cruising police carhe may close switch |35 and thus cause the modulation of the radiotransmitter |60 by the amplified currents. After a suitable timeinterval which permits the message to be radiated, he closes the releaseswitch |58, thus transmitting a current impulse to be sent fromrectifier |45 (grounded at |52) over switch |58 and line |46, line |2|,relay I9,

line |22, conductors |5| and |54 to ground |60.

The impulse thus transmitted over the comy munication lines energizesrelay I9, which relay interrupts the holding circuit of relay |6 at thecontacts |48. Relay |6 thus falls back and the further operation ofmotor 93 of the recording l device 33 is thus stopped.

The system is now again in a. condition of rest. Let it now be assumedthat the operator in the protected premises wants to switch on theautomatic protecting means. If such a switching over to automaticoperation is intended the operator -first inspects lamp 16 which shouldgive a green light when the detector relays are at rest. If such l agreen light appears he may switch over to automatic operation by closingswitch 15. Let it now be assumed that indeed no detector is in .operaitive position in which case the closing of the switch 15 closes thecircuit of relays 38 and I8,

the circuit of relay 38 being closed over 34, i0 I, 15,

|02, |0201., relay 38, |06, lower contact of set ||2,

lower contact of set |01, 33; the latter circuit being closed over thesame section of the above The` message must state in addition to thelocation of Il? described circuit upf to point I02'a and then over 24",.relay I3, 23'; lower contact of contact set H4, 352 33. The twol relays38' and I8* are thus both enegized and the system is ready for automaticoperation:

Ir, however, the-relay 3B, 31, or 39 should be energized at this time'one of the two re'd lights 11, 18, will go on. The red light 11indicates energiza'- tionof a fire detector and of a relay 331,'thecircuito said light 11 running from 34v over I3 15, 11,' |05, the uppercontact of set H3, 35, 33.

'Iihc-ired light 18 indicates energization of a burglary' detector andtherefore ofone of thev relays 36l or 31. The' circuit of light 18' runsfrom 34 over" IM, 15", 18, |04', the upper contactl of set |I8 (if relay331s energized) |011, 33. If relay 31 is energized thevv circuit/isclosed atv the upper contact ofset |'I2 and-lower contact of set I I Iby means of conductors |31 andv 33. No' energization of relays 38 and|8' occurs, however, upon closing of switch 1-5' and therefore no' alarmsignal isl given.- The oprator has now to find out what caused therelays to be energized and hasy to remove the obstacles, if any, whichcaused the operation o'f the detectors.

If, however, the system is ready for operation the operation of a' firedetector, for example, will operate they relay 39 over the circuit' 68',69 conn'ec'ted" with the cathode in the plate of the amplir 56respectively. The relay 39' moves its middle Contact tothe upperposition and energizes relayI H, the circuit running from 3d, 48, 26,I1, contacts' |29 of relay I8 (previously energized as above described)2|, contacts |I4, 35, 33.

Closing of contacts 36 of relay I1 energizes the electric motor S5 oithe recording mechanism 8|, the circuit ruiming from 4I to 3|, contactsS6, electric motor 95, 32 back to 42. This circuit is a high voltagecircuit. Relay I1 also closes the holding circuit for itself at contacts|38 running from conductor 3dr to 48, 26', |38, 21, |43 (at relay I9),33.r This circuit is again under the controlof relay' [9 which isoperated by the operator at 'the receiving station.

A message is now delivered by the rotating disk 85 which message maycontain a statement that a re has been detected on the protectedpremises. This message is picked up by the pick-up 86 and is amplifiedover the circuit 28, 29 by means of amp/liner 9|! in the way alreadydescribed. It is tlii transmitted to the receiving station exactly asdescribed in connection with the message the delivery of which wasindicated by the manual operator.l Likewise, the operation in thereceiving station which follows the transmission of the message isidentical with the operation already described.

The operation of a detector unit 6|) for detecting burglary, forinsta-nce, operates the Thyratron 66 and the relay 31 in the Thyratroncircuit. The operation of this relay starts the operation of the relay40, the circuit of this relay running from 34 over 48, 2G, relay 43,contacts II3 of relay 38, |88, contacts I|2 (the middle contact of whichis in the upper position) IIB, |31, 33. Relay 40, thus energizedy closesthe low voltage holding circuit running from 34 to 48, 26, relay 40,|28, 21, |43 (at relay I9), 33; Moreover, a high voltage energizingcircuit for motor 91 of the recording device 82 is closed this circuitrunning from 4I over 3|, 98, 91 and 32 to 42.

The record disk now starts to rotate and to operate pick-up 88 connectedwith line 23, 29 in the manner aforedescribed. The message which is nowdelivered is a message announcing a burglary in the protectedpremises'.- The' remainder of the operation is identical' with the'operation? all@ ready described.

The same operation which has been describedabove will also take placeupon interruption of the: ray of the photoelectric device 5|. In this'casa5 the relay 36 will be energizedy and the energize; tion of relay 40will take place over a circuit start-A ing at 34- and running over 49,26, 4i), contacts H9',y contacts II8, |01, 33. The remainder of theyoperation is identical with the operation which has been describedabove.

It will be clear from the above description that many changes in theindividual connections may occur without in anyway departing from' thees'- sence of thev invention as dened in the annexed claims.

Having described the invention, what isclaimed as-new is: l'

l. A protective alarm system comprising a num-` ber of substations,each' arranged in one oil the premises to be protected, a manuallyoperated alarm circuit and further alarm circuits operated automaticallyby different typesy of alarmI produc-V ing emergencies in eachsubstation, said alarm circuits being divided into groups,` operatedunder the same emergency conditions, a control panel arrangement in eachsubstation including a detector relay for eachalarm circuit, a number ofrecording mechanisms each provided with a sound record carrier, withmeans for translating the said recording into talking currentsand withelectric driving means for said record, each ro cording mechanism beingallotted to one of the alarm circuit types, one of said recordingmechanisms being provided with a spoken record announcing an emergencyoccurring only during manual operation of an alarm circuit, otherrecording mechanisms being provided with records of spoken messages,cach message being associated with one or' the groups of automaticallyoperated alarm circuits, an operating relay for each recordingmechanism, one of said operating relays being operable by said manuallyoperated alarm circuit, further operating relays operable by theautomatically operated alarm circuits, one operating relay beingassociated with each group oi' alarm circuits, an energizing circuit foreach operating relay, a control relay controlling the energizing circuitof each operating relay, said en-i ergizing circuit being furthercontrolled by one of the detector relays, energizing circuits for eachof said control relays, and a manually operated switch for controllingthe alternative operation of the manually operated alarm circuit and theautomatically operated alarm circuit, said manu@ ally operated meanscontrolling simultaneously all the energizing circuits of all of saidcontrol relays, and in addition, a holding circuit for cach operatingrelay, closed whenever the relay Is operated, and a release relaycontrolling said holding circuits.

2. A protective alarm systcin comprising u number of substatons, eacharranged in one of the premises to be protected, a manually operatedalarm circuit and further alarm circuits operated automatically bydifferent types of alarm produciing emergencies in each substation, saidalarm circuits being divided into groups, operated under the sameemergency conditions, a control panel arrangement in 'each substationincluding dee tector relay operated by each alarm circuit, a number ofrecording' mechanisms each provided with a sound record carrier, withmeans for `translating the said recording into talking currents and withelectric driving means for said record, one of said recording mechanismsbeing provided with a spoken record announcing an emergency occurringonly during manual operation of an alarm circuit, other recordingmechanisms being provided with records of spoken messages, each messagebeing associated with one of the groups of automatically operated alarmcircuits, an operating relay for each recording mechanism, one of saidoperating relays being operable by said manually operated alarm circuit,further operating relays operable by the automatically operated alarmcircuits, one operating relay being associated with each group of alarmcircuits, an energizing circuit for each operating relay, a controlrelay controlling the energizing circuit of each operating relay, saidenergizing circuit being further controlled by each of the detectorrelays ol the group of automatically operated alarm circuits with whichthe operating relay is associated, an. energizing circuit for each ofthe control relays, said energizing circuit being controlled by all thedetector relays of the aforesaid group, a manually operated switch forcontrolling the alternative operation of the manually operated alarmcirr cuit and the automatically operated alarm circuits, said manuallyoperated switch controlling simultaneously all the energizing circuitsof all said control relays, indicator signals associated with the saidenergizing circuits, said signals being operated upon closure of themanually operated switch indicating the state of the alarm circuit, saidconnection however preventing the energization or" the operating relaysupon throwing of the switch, when a detector relay is energized whileoperating the indicator signal associated with the control relayallotted to the said detector relay.

3. A protective alarm system comprising a number of substations, eacharranged in one of the premises to be protected, a manually operatedalarm circuit and further alarm circuits operated automatically bydiierent types of alarm producing emergencies in each substation, acontrol panel arrangement including a number of sound recordingmechanisms, each provided with a sound record carrier `and with meansfor translating the sound recording into talking currents, an operatingrelay for each recording mechanism, controlling relays for the operatingrelays of the recording mechanisms operated by the automaticallyoperating alarm circuits, a manually operated switch for controlling thecontrolling relays of the aforesaid operating relays associated with theautomatically operated alarm circuits, a central alarm call receivingstation, communication lines connecting said control panel arrangementwith said central receiving station, a holding circuit for eachoperating relay on the control panel, a release relay controlling allthe holding circuits, `and means in the central exchange for controllingsaid release relay.

4. A protective alarm system comprising a number of substations, eacharranged in one of the premises to be protected, a manually operatedalarm circuit and further alarm circuits operated automatically bydiierent types of alarm producing emergencies in each substation, saidalarm circuits being divided into groups, operated under the sameemergency conditions, a control panel arrangement in each substationincluding a detector relay for each alarm circuit, a number of recordingmechanisms each provided With a sound record carrier and with means fortranslating the said recording into talking currents each record carriercarrying a spoken message associated with one 0f the groups ofautomatically operated alarm circuits and with the manually operatedalarm circuit respectively, an operating relay for each recordingmechanism, an energizing circuit for each operating relay, a controlrelay controlling the energizing circuit of each operating relayassociated with an automatically operated alarm circuit, a manuallyoperated switch for controlling simultaneously all the energizingcircuits of the said control relays, a holding circuit for eachoperating relay, closed whenever the relay is operated, a release relaycontrolling all the holding circuits of all the operating relays, acentral alarm call receiving station, communication lines connectingsaid control panel arrangement with said central receiving station, anenergizing circuit for the release relay on the control panel connectedwith the communication lines and an impulse circuit, in the centralalarm call receiving station for operating the release relay of thecontrol panel arrangement from the said station.

5. An alarm system comprising a number of substations, a manuallyoperated alarm circuit and automatic alarm circuits, a control panelincluding a plurality of sound recording means and sound translatingmeans, an operating relay for each sound recording means, controllingrelays for the operating relays or the sound recording means operated bythe automatic alarm circuits, a manually operated switch for controllingsaid controlling relays, a central station connected to said controlpanel, a holding circuit for each operating relay, a release relaycontrolling all holding circuits, and means in said central stationcontrolling said release relay.

6. The structure of claim 3 wherein there is provided a plurality ofindicator signals connected to said operating relays, each of saidindicator signals indicating the condition of one of said automaticalarm circuits at the time when said manually operated switch isoperated 7. An alarm system comprising a number of substations, amanually operated alarm circuit and automatic alarm circuits, a controlpanel including a plurality of sound recording means and soundtranslating means, ran operating relay for each sound recording means,controlling relays for the operating relays of the sound recording meansoperated by the automatic alarm circuits, a manually operated switch forcontrolling said controlling relays, a central station connected to saidcontrol panel, a holding circuit for each operating relay, a releaserelay controlling al1 holding circuits, and means in said centralstation controlling said release relay, and a plurality of indicatorsignals connected to said operating relays, each of said indicatorsignals indicating the condition of one of said automatic alarm circuitsat the time when said manually operated switch is operated.

CARL W. ROE. SIDNEY T. ROE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2,022,991 Walter Dec. 3, 1935 2,249,560 Howton 1 July 15, 19412,300,409 Denzler i Nov. 3, 1942 2,522,615 Hughes Sept. 19, 1950 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 629,314 Great Britain Sept. 16, 1949

